Andy Hug

Andy Hug
Born	Andreas Hug (1964-09-07)September 7, 1964 Wohlen, Switzerland
Died	August 24, 2000(2000-08-24) (aged 35) Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan
Other names	Mr. K-1, Typhoon The Blue-Eyed Samurai Iron Man, Tetsujin in Japanese
Nationality	Swiss
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	98 kg (220 lb; 15.4 st)
Division	Heavyweight
Style	Kyokushin, Seidokaikan
Stance	Southpaw
Team	Team Andy
Years active	21 (1979–2000)
Kickboxing record
Total	48
Wins	38
By knockout	22
Losses	9
By knockout	6
Draws	1
Other information
Notable students	Xhavit Bajrami, Marfino DeFlorin, Bjorn Bregy, Petar Majstorovic
Website	http://www.andyhug.com
last updated on: January 14, 2010

Andreas "Andy" Hug (September 7, 1964 – August 24, 2000) was a Swiss Seidokaikan and Kyokushin karateka and kickboxer from Wohlen. Hug was the K-1 World Grand Prix 1996 champion and runner up in 1997 and 1998.^[1][2]

Biography and career

Andreas Hug was born in the city of Zurich, Switzerland in 1964. His father, Arthur, was a foreign legionnaire, who died in Thailand without ever seeing his son. Hug rarely saw his mother Madelaine Hug-Baumann, and grew up, with his brother Charly and sister Fabienne, with his grandparents in Wohlen. Aged six when he started playing soccer and was also selected to the Swiss National Under-16 team. At eleven years old, he started practising karate at Wohlen Karate school under Werner Schenker.

Karate career

At the age of fifteen, he won the Swiss national 'Oyama Cup'. In November 1977 he was selected to represent the Wohlen Karate School during the National Team Championships.

Andy recorded his first international success in 1981 at the Dutch Kyokushinkai Karate Championships. Two years later, he took first place at the European Cup in Hungary. In 1983, Andy took part in the Karate World Championships. Around eighty fighters from all over the world were at the start of the open weight class. Andy was able to battle his way through and reached the final sixteen. He made his second World Championships in 1987. In the semi-finals, Andy defeated his opponent Akira Masuda and for the first time in the history of Kyokushinkai, a non-Japanese fighter, was taking part in the finals. Andy lost the fight by a controversial point decision to Shokei Matsui.

The fifth World Championships of full-contact karate no weight division took place in 1991 at the Budokan, Tokyo, Japan. As early as 1988, Andy had become a trainer for the Swiss national team, thus offering his knowledge and experience to other competitors. In his third fight, Andy came up against Francisco Filho. At the end of the round, as the bell rang, Filho landed a high kick on the side of Hug's head and knocked Andy to the floor. Mas Oyama confirmed that the technique was legal. It was later confirmed that Filho's kick had indeed struck after the bell rang, but he had started his move before the time was up and Filho was declared the winner.

Andy kept fighting in Japan with success and became extremely popular. The fans were impressed by his technical diversity, spectacular aesthetics, tactics and strength. On August 28, 1993, Andy married Ilona in Inwil. At the same time he changed from Kyokushinkai to Seidokai karate, completing the step from being an amateur to becoming a professional fighter and star in Japan.

K-1 career

The Seidokai Association, headed by Kazuyoshi Ishii, founded K-1 in 1993. In 1994 Andy promoted his first K-1 Fight at the Hallenstadium in Zurich, and went on to compete in a double main event called "K-1 Challenge" where he upset reigning WGP champion Branco Cikatic in a close fight.

Later that year Hug competed in his first WGP tournament, where he was favored by the Japanese fans having already defeated Branco Cikatic a few months earlier. But Andy was upset by American kick-boxer Patrick Smith via first round stoppage.

In the autumn of 1996, Andy was struggling within himself that he wasn't able to win the K-1 World Grand Prix. In his second fight at the 96 WGP Finals he met Ernesto Hoost and won by decision. In the final, Andy was matched up against Mike Bernardo. After his two defeats to Bernardo in 1995 Andy was determined to beat him and was ultimately successful, winning via spinning low kick, securing his first and only WGP title.

Andy Hug reached the K-1 Grand Prix finals again in 1997, where he lost to Dutch kick-boxing legend Ernesto Hoost by decision. He made it to the 1998 WGP final as well, where he lost to Peter Aerts by KO, although he became the first fighter to ever make three consecutive WGP finals. (until matched by Semmy Schilt some years later)

1999 was the most successful year for K-1 since its inception. Record numbers of spectators were recorded for all tournaments. In the first half of that year, Andy provided his fans with sensational fights. However at the World Grand Prix, fate wrecked his plans. In the second bout, he was up against Ernesto Hoost. As early as in the first round, the groin injury that he had sustained a month earlier became acute. This handicap was so severe that he could not employ his legs as he was used to doing, and dropped a decision.

In Japan he was given the name "Blue-Eyed Samurai", even though he had brown eyes. He was the only K-1 fighter ever to be rewarded an honorary samurai title by K-1 founder Kazuyoshi Ishii. He was recognized for his axe kick and the spinning low heel kick, targeting the opponents thigh, was another trademark kick of his. In Japan, it was known as "the Hug Tornado" since it was rumored that no other fighter could perform it with the same perfection as Hug. He defeated Mirko "Cro-Cop" Filipović at K-1 Fight Night, on June 3, 2000, in Zurich, Switzerland. His last fight was against Nobu Hayashi on July 7, 2000.

Death

He was diagnosed with acute leukemia on August 17, 2000. On August 23 he fell into a coma and his illness was made public. Only 22 hours later, Hug died following breathing difficulties due to multiple organ failure. He was 35 years old, and left his wife and their son.^[3] His body was cremated and his ashes deposited in the cemetery of the Hoshuin temple in Kyoto, Japan.^[4]

Titles and accomplishments

• Kickboxing
  • 1996–2000 W.K.A. World Muay Thai Super Heavyweight title (4 title defenses)
  • 1996 W.M.T.C. World Super Heavyweight title
  • 1996 K-1 Grand Prix champion
  • 1994–1996 U.K.F. World Super Heavyweight title (2 title defenses)
• Seidokaikan
  • 1993 Seidokan Karate World Cup (Lost to Masaaki Satake)(tile breaking)
  • 1992 Seidokan Karate World Cup (Defeated Taiei Kin)
• Kyokushin
  • 1991 5th Kyokushin World Open Karate Tournament last 32 (Lost to Francisco Filho)
  • 1991 6th European Championships in Budapest, Heavyweight (Lost to Michael Thompson)
  • 1989 5th European Championships in Budapest, Heavyweight (Defeated Michael Thompson)
  • 1988 1st Swiss Sursee Cup in Sursee (Defeated Kenji Midori)
  • 1987 4th Kyokushin World Open Karate Tournament (Lost to Akiyoshi Matsui)
  • 1987 4th European Championships in Katowice, (Lost to Michael Thompson)
  • 1986 11th British Open in London, Heavyweight (Lost to Michael Thompson)
  • 1985 3rd European Championships in Barcelona, Heavyweight (Defeated Klaus Rex)
  • 1985 Ibusz Oyama Cup in Hungary, Heavyweight (Defeated Michel Wedel)
  • 1985 Swiss National Open Championships Heavyweight (Defeated Klaus Rex)
  • 1984 3rd Kyokushin World Open Karate Tournament final 16 (Lost to Akiyoshi Matsui)
  • 1984 Swiss National Championships Heavyweight
  • 1983 7th Dutch Open in Alkmaar, Heavyweight final 16 (Lost to Flemming Jinzen)
  • 1982 Ibusz Oyama Cup in Hungary, Middleweight (Defeated Mark Niedziokka)
  • 1982 6th Dutch Open Middleweight final 16 (Lost to Kenneth Felter)
  • 1982 2nd European Championships in London final 16 (Lost to Jean Pierre Louisset)
  • 1982 Swiss National Championships, Middleweight (Defeated Gabriel Marxer)
  • 1981 Oyama Cup (Defeated Heinz Muntweiler)
  • 1981 5th Dutch Open in Weert, Middleweight (Lost to Koen Scharrenberg)
  • 1981 4 Countries Team Tournament (Switzerland defeated Dutch team in finals)
  • 1979 Oyama Cup

• Black Belt Magazine
  • 2001 Honorary Award [1]

Record

Kickboxing Record
38 Wins (22 (T)KO's, 16 decisions), 9 Losses, 1 Draw Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 2000-07-07 Win Nobu Hayashi K-1 Spirits 2000 Sendai, Japan KO (Punch) 1 2:05 38–9–1 2000-06-03 Win Mirko Filipović K-1 Fight Night 2000 Zurich, Switzerland Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 37–9–1 Retains W.K.A. World Muay Thai Super Heavyweight title. 2000-04-23 Win Glaube Feitosa K-1 The Millennium Osaka, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 36–9–1 2000-03-19 Win Musashi K-1 Burning 2000 Yokohama, Japan Decision (Majority) 5 3:00 35–9–1 1999-12-05 Loss Ernesto Hoost K-1 Grand Prix '99 Final Round Quarter Final Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 34–9–1 1999-10-05 Win Hiromi Amada K-1 World Grand Prix '99 Opening Round Osaka, Japan TKO (3 Knockdowns) 1 1:51 34–8–1 Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 1999 Final. 1999-08-22 Win Maurice Smith K-1 Spirits '99 Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 33–8–1 1999-06-05 Win Stefan Leko K-1 Fight Night '99 Zurich, Switzerland Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 32–8–1 Retains W.K.A. World Muay Thai Super Heavyweight title. 1999-04-25 Win Ray Sefo K-1 Revenge '99 Yokohama, Japan TKO (Corner stoppage) 4 3:00 31–8–1 1999-02-03 Win Tsuyoshi Nakasako K-1 Rising Sun '99 Tokyo, Japan KO (Right Rear Turning Kick) 2 0:22 30–8–1 1998-12-13 Loss Peter Aerts K-1 Grand Prix '98 Final Round Final Tokyo, Japan KO (Left high kick) 1 1:10 29–8–1 Fight was for K-1 Grand Prix '98 title. 1998-12-13 Win Sam Greco K-1 Grand Prix '98 Final Round Semi Finals Tokyo, Japan Decision (Majority) 3 3:00 29–7–1 1998-12-13 Win Ray Sefo K-1 Grand Prix '98 Final Round Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan TKO (Referee stoppage/two knockdowns) 2 2:28 28–7–1 1998-10-28 Win Miyamoto Masaaki K-1 Japan '98 Kamikaze Tokyo, Japan KO (Punch) 1 2:50 27–7–1 1998-09-27 Win Mark Russell K-1 World Grand Prix '98 Opening Round Osaka, Japan KO (Left Low Kick) 2 3:07 26–7–1 Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '98 Final. 1998-08-07 Win Mike Labree K-1 USA Grand Prix '98 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. KO (Kick) 1 2:11 25–7–1 1998-06-06 Win Peter Aerts K-1 Fight Night '98 Zurich, Switzerland Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 24–7–1 Retains W.K.A. World Muay Thai Super Heavyweight title. 1998-04-09 Win Curtis Shuster K-1 Kings '98 Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 23–7–1 1997-11-09 Loss Ernesto Hoost K-1 Grand Prix '97 Final Final Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 22–7–1 Fight was for K-1 Grand Prix '97 title. 1997-11-09 Win Peter Aerts K-1 Grand Prix '97 Final Semi Finals Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 3 3:00 22–6–1 1997-11-09 Win Masaaki Satake K-1 Grand Prix '97 Final Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Left High Kick) 1 0:15 21–6–1 1997-09-07 Win Pierre Guenette K-1 Grand Prix '97 1st Round Osaka, Japan KO (Right Hook) 1 1:49 20–6–1 Qualifies for K-1 Grand Prix '97 Final. 1997-07-20 Loss Francisco Filho K-1 Dream '97 Nagoya, Japan KO (Right Hook) 1 2:37 19–6–1 1997-06-07 Win Mike Bernardo K-1 Fight Night '97 Zurich, Switzerland Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 19–5–1 Retains W.K.A. World Muay Thai Super Heavyweight title. 1997-04-29 Draw Sam Greco K-1 Braves '97 Fukuoka, Japan Decision (Draw) 5 3:00 18–5–1 1997-03-16 Loss Peter Aerts K-1 Kings '97 Yokohama, Japan TKO (Referee Stoppage) 1 1:55 18–5 1996-12-08 Win Musashi K-1 Hercules '96 Nagoya, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 18–4 1996-10-18 Win Masaaki Satake K-1 Star Wars '96 Yokohama, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 17–4 Wins vacant W.K.A. World Muay Thai Super Heavyweight title. 1996-09-01 Win Stan Longinidis K-1 Revenge '96 Osaka, Japan KO (Punch) 2 2:00 16–4 Wins Stan's W.M.T.C. World Super Heavyweight title. 1996-06-02 Win Sadau Kiatsongrit K-1 Fight Night II Zurich, Switzerland TKO (Referee Stoppage) 2 3:02 15–4 Retains U.K.F. World Super Heavyweight title. 1996-05-06 Win Mike Bernardo K-1 Grand Prix '96 Final Yokohama, Japan KO (Left spinning low kick) 2 1:18 14–4 Wins K-1 Grand Prix '96 tournament title 1996-05-06 Win Ernesto Hoost K-1 Grand Prix '96 Semi Finals Yokohama, Japan 2nd Ext.R Decision (Split) 5 3:00 13–4 1996-05-06 Win Duane Van Der Merwe K-1 Grand Prix '96 Quarter Finals Yokohama, Japan KO (Left hook) 1 0:40 12–4 1996-03-10 Win Bart Vale K-1 Grand Prix '96 Opening Battle Yokohama, Japan TKO 1 2:24 11–4 Qualifies for K-1 World Grand Prix 1996. 1995-12-09 Win Jérôme Le Banner K-1 Hercules Nagoya, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 10–4 1995-09-03 Loss Mike Bernardo K-1 Revenge II Yokohama, Japan KO (Punch) 2 2:43 9–4 1995-07-16 Loss Ernesto Hoost K-3 Grand Prix '95 Nagoya, Japan Decision (Majority) 3 3:00 9–3 1995-06-10 Win Dennis Lane K-1 Fight Night Zurich, Switzerland TKO (Corner Stoppage) 2 3:00 9–2 Retains U.K.F. World Super Heavyweight title. 1995-05-04 Win Peter Kramer, Super Fight K-1 World Grand Prix 1995 Tokyo, Japan KO (Left overhand) 1 0:45 8–2 1995-03-03 Loss Mike Bernardo K-1 Grand Prix '95 Opening Battle Tokyo, Japan TKO (Ref. stop/punches) 3 2:39 7–2 Fails to qualify for K-1 World Grand Prix 1995. 1994-12-10 Win Rob van Esdonk K-1 Legend Nagoya, Japan KO (Left punch) 4 0:55 7–1 Wins vacant U.K.F. World Super Heavyweight title. 1994-10-02 Win Jeff Roufus 1994 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup KO (kick to the body) 3 2:17 6–1 1994-09-18 Win Patrick Smith K-1 Revenge Yokohama, Japan KO (Left knee) 1 0:56 5–1 1994-04-30 Loss Patrick Smith K-1 Grand Prix '94 Quarter Finals Tokyo, Japan KO (Right uppercut) 1 0:19 4–1 1994-03-04 Win Branko Cikatic K-1 Challenge Tokyo, Japan Decision (Unanimous) 5 3:00 4–0 1993-12-19 Win Eric Albert K-2 Grand Prix '93 Tokyo, Japan KO (Punches) 2 2:08 3–0 1993-11-15 Win Ryuji Murakami K-1 Andy's Glove Tokyo, Japan KO (Right hook) 1 2:10 2–0 1993-04-30 Win Nobuaki Kakuda K-1 Grand Prix '93, Super Fight Tokyo, Japan KO (Left knee strike) 2 1:26 1–0
Seidokaikan Karate record
10 Wins (2 (T)KO's, 8 Decisions), 1 Loss Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time Record 1993-10-03 Loss Masaaki Satake K-1 Illusion 1993 Karate World Cup Final Osaka, Japan Tameshiwari 5 3:00 10–1 Fight was for 1993 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup title. After four overtime rounds the bout went to sudden death where Hug lost in a Tameshiwari contest 1993-10-03 Win Toshiyuki Atokawa K-1 Illusion 1993 Karate World Cup Semi Finals Osaka, Japan Decision 1 3:00 10–0 1993-10-02 Win Changpuek Kiatsongrit K-1 Illusion 1993 Karate World Cup Quarter Finals Osaka, Japan Decision 1 3:00 9–0 1993-10-02 Win Yoshinori Arata K-1 Illusion 1993 Karate World Cup 1st Round Osaka, Japan KO 1 8–0 1993-06-25 Win Minoru Fujita K-1 Sanctuary III Osaka, Japan Decision 1 3:00 7–0 1992-10-04 Win Taiei Kin 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup, Final 6–0 Wins 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup title. 1992-10-03 Win Shuji Suzuki 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup, Semi final KO (Awase Ippon) 5–0 1992-10-02 Win Minoru Fujita 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup Decision 1 3:00 4–0 1992-10-02 Win Nobuaki Kakuda 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup Ippon 3–0 1992-10-02 Win Gozen Morita 1992 Seidokaikan Karate World Cup Ippon 2–0 1992-07-30 Win Toshiyuki Yanagisawa Seidokaikan Kakutogi Olympic II Tokyo, Japan Decision 5 1:00 1–0 Legend:       Win       Loss       Draw/No contest       Notes

See also

Biography portal

• List of K-1 events
• List of K-1 champions
• List of male kickboxers
• List of kickboxing organizations

References

External links

• Andy Hug - Official Website
• Andy Hug Foundation - The Foundation
• Andy Hug at Find a Grave
• Profile at K-1
• Andy Hug Portrait

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